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The Thermals
and the 1990s: Learning language through song. Jason Kozel Description
of the material selected as the focus of the Lesson – This
lesson uses two music videos. The
first video is for the song, ¡°Returning to the fold,¡± by the band The Thermals. The second video is for the song, ¡°See
you at the lights,¡± by 1990s. 1990s,
¡°See you at the lights¡±: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EURfmrWJcPY The
Thermals, ¡°Returning to the fold¡±: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO3_ZG7wJPc
Lesson
Plan Title – The
Thermals and the 1990s: Learning language through song. Discipline
and Topic – English
as a Foreign Language: This lesson is part of a unit that is specifically designed
to decompress the stresses of learning language, highlighting the passive
acquisition of language. Target Population – Grade Level: American High School (10-12), Korean High School (1-2) Population Characteristics: -- Homogenous population, ability levels vary
greatly—class grouping is based on age not ability. Lesson Groupings: This lesson is designed to be implemented with students working individually. Curriculum
Links – Prior
to this lesson students will have learned and played the game Scrabble. Following this lesson Students will
learn to play the game charades.
This unit will be implemented at the end of the academic year. In Korea that is in December and for
some reason students must come to school for two weeks after their final
exams. This unit provides a fun,
yet educationally grounded classroom experience for the students; students
with absolutely nothing to do and with absolutely no responsibilities. Objectives – After completing this lesson students will be able to¡¦ ¡¤ ¡¦create a visual representation of a selected line from each song. ¡¤ ¡¦demonstrate the ability to speak and/or sing each of the songs used in the lesson. ¡¤ ¡¦analyze the meaning of the song lyrics. ¡¤ ¡¦analyze the use of poetic language in songs. Media Literacy Objectives
– After completing this lesson students will be able to¡¦ ¡¤ ¡¦collaborate with peers, experts, and others to contribute to a content-related knowledge base by using technology to compile, synthesize, produce, and disseminate information, models, and other creative works. Materials and Timing – This lesson is designed to be implemented over one class period (50 minutes). Materials needed: ¡¤ Computer with projector attached. ¡¤ Markers/colorful artistic tools of some kind http://cnets.iste.org/students/s_profile-912.html Scope and Sequence –
¡¤ Teacher will begin by stating the objectives of the lesson in plain English. ¡¤ Teacher will distribute the lyrics handout and briefly discuss its contents. ¡¤ Teacher and Students will read the lyrics on the handout for one of the songs. ¡¤ Students will listen to the song while reviewing the lyrics. These two steps are repeated for the other song selection. ¡¤ Teacher asks students to choose one line of lyrics for each song. Teacher then asks students to draw a picture to represent, or express each line of lyrics. Supplemental Materials – ¡¤ Lyrics Handout ¡¤
Evaluation of Students – Students will be evaluated based upon the rubric below.
Evaluation
of the Lesson – This lesson
will be considered a success if students end up singing the songs in a near
to involuntary manner.
Students should create drawings that are at least thoughtful and
decipherable in terms of how they relate to the lines they chose. I would really like to hear the song
lyrics, melodies and rhythms in future classes. The passive acquisition of the English
lyrics should be apparent. WORKSHEETS: Band: The Thermals Song: Returning to the Fold I regret leaving my soul Band: 1990s Song: See You at the Lights Hey! It¡¯s gonna snow tonight |